Physical Compatibility of Meropenem and Vaborbactam With Select Intravenous Drugs During Simulated Y-site Administration.

Purpose: Meropenem/vaborbactam is a novel intravenous antibiotic combining the carbapenem, meropenem, with a novel β-lactamase inhibitor, vaborbactam. Meropenem/vaborbactam is administered as a 3-hour infusion given every 8 hours, thereby potentially restricting an intravenous line for 9 h/d. Intravenous medications may be given concurrently via Y-site when compatibility data are available. Herein, physical compatibility was determined for the identification which medications can be coadministered with meropenem/vaborbactam via Y-site.

Methods: Y-site administration was simulated in vitro by admixing 5 mL of meropenem 8 mg/mL and vaborbactam 8 mg/mL with an equal volume of 88 other diluted intravenous medications, including 34 antimicrobials. All other medications were diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride to the upper range of concentrations considered standard for intravenous infusion. Visual inspection, turbidity measurement, and pH measurement were performed prior to admixture, directly after admixture, and at time points up to 3 hours after admixture.

Findings: Of the 88 medications tested, meropenem/vaborbactam was compatible with 73 (83%), including many antibiotics such as aminoglycosides (amikacin, gentamicin, and tobramycin), colistin, fosfomycin, linezolid, tedizolid, tigecycline, and vancomycin. Physical incompatibility was observed with albumin, amiodarone, anidulafungin, calcium chloride, caspofungin, ceftaroline, ciprofloxacin, daptomycin, diphenhydramine, dobutamine, isavuconazole, midazolam, nicardipine, ondansetron, and phenytoin.

Implications: The majority of intravenous medications tested were found to be physically compatible with meropenem/vaborbactam. These data will help pharmacists and nurses to improve line access in patients receiving meropenem/vaborbactam.